While Luna Park Sydney may be better known, thanks to its iconic position on Sydney Harbour, Luna Park Melbourne is the oldest of Australia’s Luna Park family. The same consortium that created the original Luna Park in Coney Island, New York, opened Melbourne’s counterpart in the beachfront suburb of St. Kilda. The carousel, the ghost train, and the Great Scenic Railway all date back more than a century.
A range of local area tours, from cycling tours to hop-on hop-off bus rides, glide past Luna Park. But most travelers visit independently, booking tickets online or simply showing up at the door. Options run from traditional theme park passes, which offer access to all rides, to entry only, to single-ride tickets, perfect for coaster fans who simply want to ride the Great Scenic Railway. Children under 3 are admitted free.
Luna Park Melbourne appeals to families, as well as roller coaster fans, photographers, and Instagrammers drawn to the park’s heritage.
The park offers free Wi-Fi, bathrooms, snack stalls, and a café serving hot meals.
Luna Park is stroller and wheelchair accessible, but rides and attractions are not adapted.
Luna Park Melbourne sits just back from the beach in the waterfront suburb of St. Kilda, about 4 miles (7 kilometers) south of downtown Melbourne. Catch the suburban train to Balaclava Station, then take the 16 tram. Or, pick up tram 16 at Melbourne University or tram 96 from Southern Cross station.
Luna Park Melbourne is open on Friday evenings, and on Saturday and Sunday. It operates on weekdays during Australian school vacations, public holidays, and popular events such as the Melbourne Cup and Halloween. It closes on Christmas Day.
The Great Scenic Railway, a wooden roller coaster covering 3,173 feet (967 meters) of track, has been operating continuously since 1912, making Luna Park Melbourne a place of pilgrimage for coaster fans. One of the world’s oldest working roller coasters, the Railway reaches speeds of 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour).
